Food pairing strategies for Lugana wines

Sophisticated, structured and aromatic, Lugana is fantastic to get pleasure from all yr round. Like all Italian wines with generations-lengthy traditions, Lugana whites pair correctly with the local cuisine. ‘The wonderful detail about these wines is that they go so effectively with foods,’ a London restaurateur instructed me for the duration of a tasting.

Lake Garda’s microclimate (caper bushes, lemon trees and olive trees prosper on its banking institutions, even this far north), the fertile levels of morainic and sedimentary clay soil, and the regional grape Turbiana blend to make a full-bodied, ageable wine renowned for its complexity, vivid acidity and unique almond, floral and citrus aromas.

The soil structure is essential: even though the major layers are principally clay and limestone with some chalk, the subsoils are often underpinned with peat, and typically gravel, and rich in lime and mineral salts. Which is why several Lugana wines have the saline character more usually discovered in coastal wines.

Turbiana is particularly flexible and generates five different types of Lugana here’s how to pair them:

Lugana foods pairings

Lugana

The most youthful white. The wine is a light straw-yellow colour with inexperienced tones. Its aroma is a delicate combine of floral and almond notes, its flavours harmonious, wealthy and outlined. Lugana pairs effectively with seafood antipasti, fried freshwater or ocean fish, boiled shrimp, and lake fish such as luccio alla gardesana (pike in vegetable sauce), sarde in saor (marinated sardines), and tinca affumicata (smoked tench).

Lugana Superiore

Lugana Superiore have to be aged for at minimum one year soon after harvest. The color leans to golden, with aromas of wild herbs, ripe apple and mandarin signing up for spicy or hazelnut notes. In the mouth, Lugana Superiore has better construction, with lively yet supple acidity and a savoury, saline touch. It pairs wonderfully with seafood pasta, vegetable dishes, soups, purees, raw fish and oysters. The best match for Asian delicacies.

Lugana Riserva

The organic evolution of Lugana Superiore. Aged for at least 24 months, with 6 of all those in bottle, it demonstrates brighter colours and much more evolved aromas, with smoky and balsamic accents, and warmer mineral notes on the palate.

Lugana Riserva enhances richer cuisine these kinds of as grilled eel, trout or crustaceans, baked turbot, and chicken or rabbit. Test it also with a creamy seafood risotto.

Vendemmia Tardiva

Vendemmia Tardiva is a remarkably different kind of Lugana that lacks the sweet viscosity of a classic passito. Created with grapes still left on the vine into late autumn, Vendemmia Tardiva (‘late harvest’) wines are softer and denser, with sweetness properly well balanced by acidity. They are best with cheeses, from new kinds these types of as Ricotta, Robiola and Crescenza, to piquant sorts including Monte Veronese, Grana Padano and Provolone Valpadana.

Spumante

Spumante is glowing wine generated making use of either the charmat or typical strategy. With the former, the wine is simpler and crisper, displaying citrus notes and a creamy perlage the latter makes additional sophisticated wines with a dynamic bouquet and a sleek, crackling perlage. Check out Spumantes with a range of antipasti, from chilly meats to egg-based dishes. The more structured kinds can accompany an full food.

Tasting the wines of Lugana

Ceresa, Lugana 2019 13%

Established by Andrea Conti in 1987, Ceresa is now operate by Andrea’s son, Massimo. The La Viola vineyard in Pozzolengo, more than 30 a long time previous, makes this strictly metal-aged Lugana, which presents cut grass, wild herbs, sage and white floral notes. A comprehensive, voluptuous palate, it has great pressure that softens in direction of the finish. 88
RRP £18 / $23

Le Morette, Mandolara, Lugana 2019 12.5%

Le Morette begun existence as a rootstock nursery in excess of 60 yrs in the past. Founder Gino Zenato remaining his descendents with a profound information of Turbiana. From the 20+ yr-old Mandolara vineyard, this steel-aged Lugana has aromas of wild herbs, acacia blossom and grapefruit. Its smooth palate is balanced with tangy, savoury accents. 90
RRP £21 / $26

Le Preseglie, Hamsa, Lugana 2019 13%

Cristina Bordignon established up this vineyard in the early 2000s in a renovated 19th-century farmhouse with 15 hectares of vines. The grapes are washed and sanitised working with an innovative program, before urgent. An intriguing nose with mineral, sulphureous notes prospects to a savoury, citrussy palate with a lingering end. 89Ok
RRP £35 / $22

Zenato, Santa Cristina Massoni, Lugana 2019 13%

Zenato was proven in the 1960s by Sergio Zenato, just one of the 1st to see Lugana’s possible. The loved ones record carries on today with Alberto, Carla and Nadia Zenato. The grapes for Santa Cristina come from the estate’s oldest winery, the 50-year-old Podere Massoni. A bouquet of tropical fruit and balsamic notes is followed by a beautiful, harmonious palate. 90
RRP £25 / $30